CVE-2017-18160 in Snapdragon Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
AGPS session failure in GNSS module due to cyphersuites are hardcoded and needed manual update everytime in snapdragon mobile and snapdragon wear in versions MDM9635M, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18160 represents a critical security flaw in Qualcomm's Global Navigation Satellite System modules, specifically affecting Snapdragon mobile and wearable platforms. This issue manifests as an AGPS session failure that occurs when the cryptographic suites used for secure communication are hardcoded within the GNSS module firmware, requiring manual updates to maintain functionality. The affected hardware platforms include the MDM9635M, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 835, SD 845, and SD 850 chipsets, which are widely deployed in mobile devices and wearables. The hardcoded cryptographic suites create a persistent security weakness that undermines the integrity of location-based services and compromises the overall security posture of affected devices.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the implementation of cryptographic protocols within Qualcomm's GNSS modules, where the cipher suites are embedded as fixed values within the firmware rather than being dynamically configurable or updateable through secure mechanisms. This design decision creates a significant operational risk as the hardcoded cryptographic parameters become outdated over time, particularly when new security standards or protocols are introduced. The need for manual updates indicates a lack of automated security patching capabilities within the GNSS module's firmware architecture, forcing device manufacturers and users to manually intervene to maintain secure communication channels. This approach violates fundamental security principles and creates a persistent attack surface that adversaries can exploit to disrupt location services or potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive location data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session failures, as it fundamentally compromises the security and reliability of location-based services on affected devices. When AGPS sessions fail due to outdated cryptographic suites, users experience degraded location accuracy and service availability, which can be particularly problematic for emergency services, navigation applications, and location-dependent security features. The manual update requirement creates additional operational overhead for device manufacturers and end users, increasing the risk of security gaps when updates are delayed or forgotten. This vulnerability also impacts the broader ecosystem of location-based services and IoT devices that rely on secure GNSS communications, potentially creating cascading security issues across interconnected systems that depend on reliable location data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-18160 must address both the immediate security concerns and the underlying architectural flaws in the GNSS module implementation. Device manufacturers should implement automated firmware update mechanisms that can securely deliver cryptographic suite updates to affected devices, ensuring that the hardcoded cipher suites can be dynamically modified without requiring manual intervention. Security teams should monitor for signs of AGPS session failures and implement proactive monitoring of location service availability on affected platforms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in system design, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure configuration management. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect anomalous behavior in location services that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining awareness of the ATT&CK framework's techniques related to credential access and defense evasion through compromised location services. The long-term solution requires Qualcomm to redesign the GNSS module firmware to support dynamic cryptographic suite configuration and automated security updates, ensuring that security patches can be delivered seamlessly without requiring device-specific manual intervention.